Student leader Cris Hugo – assassinated at 20, still unsolved 9 years after

CRIS HUGO RARE PHOTO. Before his death Cris Hugo is the LFS Regional Coordinator in Bicol, National Council member of LFS and Grand Chancellor Alpha Phi Omega. BICOLTODAY.COM

By Joey Natividad

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – The Hugo family prayed silently for their son, Cris, whose life was wasted by an assassin’s bullets nine years ago in this city.

There was no justice done and the killer and conspirators remained scot-free, again hunting for their next target. That was nine years ago, on March 19, 2006.

According to fellow student activists, Cris Hugo was a responsible student, outstanding youth leader and patriot.

To his family, he was the unico hijo (only son) and kuya (elder brother) to his two sisters.

He was only 20 years old when gunned down.

Investigation revealed he was terminated by a death squad group belonging to rightist forces secretly sanctioned by the State.

That time, a wave of killings nationwide was launched against activists, Bayan coordinators and left-wing leaders. Several hundreds of militants died over a 2-year period.

There were reports that a killing machine was on the loose sanctioned by then GMA (Arroyo) administration and the military establishment with the aim to silence citizen’s dissent.

Those months before he was wasted, Cris was Regional Coordinator and National Council member of the League of Filipino Students (LFS).

He was also newly elected Grand Chancellor of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Fraternity in Bicol University.

He was an active campaigner for greater student involvement in the recent BU student council elections.
He was also a convenor of an alliance against the destructive mining operations of mining firm Lafayette Phils.

Cris had been a committed advocate for students’ rights and welfare and was a staunch supporter of various pro-people causes.

He had transformed from a seminarian exposed to social concerns to a passionate social critic and crusader.

He used to say that much of his early ideas on social justice came from the seminary, where he graduated high school.

While in college, Cris started his advocacy in 2003 when Bicol University students were defending campus journalists charged with libel.

Cris naturally gravitated towards the LFS as he sought answers to various social issues.

His involvement had gone beyond campus-level education when, as LFS member, he linked up with marginalized sectors and facilitated discussions in workers’ unions and farmers organizations.

But, for all of these – three fascist bullets took away his life.

His fellow activists always believe that Cris’ martyrdom only amplifies the millions of voices raised against the tyrannical, bloodthirsty political order that demanded for his blood.

His memory will forever endure among all progressive-minded youth and patriotic citizens, said LFS colleagues.

“In a day of reckoning, the Filipino people whom Cris dedicated his life will render justice to him as they carry on their quest for a new and just social order,” said a young idealist.

The yearly regional journalism festival, LIYAB, sponsored by the Pillars Publication – Ateneo de Naga University and the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) has set-up the Cris Hugo Award to honor outstanding campus journalists.

The Cris Hugo Award is a recognition of Cris’ contribution to campus journalism. [BicolToday.com]